Macalester College

Since its founding in 1874, Macalester has provided students the inspiration, insight and experience to become successful and ethical leaders. Classes are taught by faculty whose passion is teaching and whose scholarship gains national recognition.

Two great cities at your doorstep. Macalester is nestled in a lovely, residential neighborhood–minutes from downtown St. Paul and Minneapolis–which offers students a wealth of internship opportunities in business, finance, medicine, government, law, the arts, and more.

Macalester students are citizens of over 90 countries.

Our faculty earned their advanced degrees from some of the best schools in the world, and they remain thought-leaders in their fields

Macalester students enjoy a wealth of resources for research on and off campus–specialized laboratories, libraries, museum collections, distinct population groups for surveys, even a natural history center. Often students undertake research that makes real contributions to their discipline. They publish papers in scholarly journals, participate in conferences, and provide analysis for policy makers and real-world use.

Mission

Macalester is committed to being a preeminent liberal arts college with an educational program known for its high standards for scholarship and its special emphasis on internationalism, multiculturalism, and service to society.

Statement of Purpose and Belief

At Macalester College we believe that education is a fundamentally transforming experience. As a community of learners, the possibilities for this personal, social, and intellectual transformation extend to us all. We affirm the importance of the intellectual growth of the students, staff and faculty through individual and collaborative endeavor. We believe that this can best be achieved through an environment that values the diverse cultures of our world and recognizes our responsibility to provide a supportive and respectful environment for students, staff and faculty of all cultures and backgrounds.

We expect students to develop a broad understanding of the liberal arts while they are at Macalester. Students should follow a primary course of study in order to acquire an understanding of disciplinary theory and methodology; they should be able to apply their understanding of theories to address problems in the larger community. Students should develop the ability to use information and communication resources effectively, be adept at critical, analytical and logical thinking, and express themselves well in both oral and written forms. Finally, students should be prepared to take responsibility for their personal, social and intellectual choices.

We believe that the benefit of the educational experience at Macalester is the development of individuals who make informed judgments and interpretations of the broader world around them and choose actions or beliefs for which they are willing to be held accountable. We expect them to develop the ability to seek and use knowledge and experience in contexts that challenge and inform their suppositions about the world. We are committed to helping students grow intellectually and personally within an environment that models and promotes academic excellence and ethical behavior. The education a student begins at Macalester provides the basis for continuous transformation through learning and service.